We have all had that experience of being forced to listen to, or read about, a {usually deserving} charity or fundraiser happening either locally or globally. Especially when they come knocking on your door, calling you over the dinner hour and now, because of our inter-connectedness online, through the inbox via email.
From cancer societies, dogs in need, old growth forests and invaluable organizations who support beautiful souls who live with disabilities or challenges….. they all have heart warming stories and could all benefit from a monthly or single donation of $5, $50, $500 or $5000 — or those amounts of our time to help them fundraise.
Deep down in our hearts we truly would LOVE to financially support them all.
But we can’t.
And after the umpteenth charity calling us or knocking on the door, sometimes (just sometimes) we can start to feel the negativity building, and even resentment and anger for the disturbance in our lives.
It doesn’t feel good. Not for us, and not for them.
But alas…. fear not my friends, I have the ultimate “Feel Good” way to gently say ‘No’, while still showing your support and not making the situation awkward or uncomfortable. This style of ‘rejection’ feels good in our hearts, and it will feel good in theirs. I promise.
Here is an easy script and template for you to bookmark, print off and use next time you find yourself cowering behind the couch when you hear that knock on the door, or you feel tempted to ignore and dismiss that ‘Can You Help Us Out’ email:
Hi {person’s name}
I appreciate your {email / call / showing up at my door}, and taking the time and effort to reach out to me about donating and helping the {Ancient Forest Alliance / Humane Society / Community Living Victoria}
At the beginning of every year, I select a few causes dear to my heart in which I donate my time and money, so unfortunately at this time I am already ‘tapped out’ of what I can give financially or in effort. I will take the {Ancient Forest Alliance / Humane Society / Community Living Victoria} into consideration for my next round of donations for the following year.
What I can offer you at this time, are my positive thoughts + energy for this fundraising to be successful and to spread the word to my circle about the good you are doing in our community.
Thanks for doing all that you do to make our world a better place. You are appreciated.
{Good day / Good Night / Good Bye}
{Your Name — if sending an email}
Simple. Thoughtful.
Eloquently Polite.
A little love + positive energy given back out into our world from you.
A much better energetic equation than bother-ness + bitterness, right?
In fact, here is the exact response I got from a local organization after using this exact script with them:
” Thank you for your prompt response and heartfelt consideration Lindsay Rose,
We appreciate all positive thoughts and energy as well. It’s lovely to hear that you are already teamed up and expressing your generosity even if it’s not with us this time around. It is people that change the world and we are in this together. Perhaps you’ll like us on facebook, sign our petition, and/or join us for a hike sometime?
Looking forward to potential future collaboration,
Thanks again, your work is also truly beneficial in making the world a healthier place,
Kind regards,
~Sandi “
— look at all that positivity being passed back and forth, all because I {gently} said “No, thank you…”. Now you give it a try and see how good you feel afterward!
Thank you to winnond over at freedigitalphotos.net for use of this photo.
This post was initially inspired by the beautiful Alexandra Franzen.